The benefits of new technologies

Here are some of the ways the right audiovisual tools will positively impact users in your organization:

1. Meetings will be shorter

Common worker complaints about meetings include meetings that are too long. And while technology can't stop your colleagues from talking about their pets, it can shorten meetings by helping them start on time. A study shows that more than a third of meetings start an average of 15 minutes late. Many meetings are delayed because organizers and participants spend time connecting to screens, figuring out why remote participants can't hear or be heard, etc.

2. Employees will function more efficiently

Collaboration technologies that allow participants to share content like presentations, links and images in the actual meeting mean you don't have to waste time using less efficient tools like email, note-taking apps and more. With content sharing tools that work with participants' own devices, meeting participants see information in the context of the meeting, meaning there's less need for explanation or follow-up. A quick meeting to share and present will ultimately save you more time than emailing the information and getting a call to explain and answer follow-up questions.

3. Workers can focus

Many of today's offices may have open plans or cubicles. Although workers may have phones on their desk, they may struggle to make a confidential call or have a quiet conversation with a colleague. Workers want workspaces that allow them to focus on work without distractions, as well as communicate with those they need in the right environment. Well-appointed huddle spaces allow those who need to collaborate to have the space and tools to do so, while letting others focus on their work.

4. Meeting room users will be more self-sufficient

Your IT team is likely to get a few panicked calls when users try to hold an important meeting because they can't connect and get the meeting room equipment up and running. By equipping rooms with easy-to-use tools that have intuitive controls and interfaces, workers will have fewer problems. Using simpler technologies, such as unified control solutions that combine capabilities (audio and video connectivity, for example), means they not only waste less time, but spend less IT time.

5. Employees may like meetings

A collateral effect of equipping meeting spaces with simple solutions that adapt to the rooms, as well as to the needs of the users, is that the meetings will be more attractive. When participants no longer sit around doodling while someone fiddles with equipment, they can stop groaning at the thought of another meeting. They will also enjoy collaboration more because it will be more visual, and everyone can see and hear clearly. Users will take advantage of your organization's huddle spaces because they can jump in and get to work quickly and easily. Meetings will be more interesting because everyone will be able to see and interact with each other, and all participants will have the opportunity to share the information they want when they want.

When looking for meeting room equipment, it's easy to get caught up in the sea of ​​options. There are so many collaboration tools available, it's hard to know which will make the best investment. However, if you evaluate solutions from the perspective of the impact you'd like to have on your users, the entire organization will begin to see positive results.